What was he thinking?
As Germany were just shy of ten minutes away from a place in the Euro 2016 semi-finals, one of their standout players at the tournament and easily one of the best defenders in Europe, Jerome Boateng, had a very costly brainfart.
As a relatively trouble-free set-piece was delivered into the German area, Boateng did what is known in basketball as 'posting up', by putting his two hands in the air, presumably trying to block Giorgio Chiellini from getting an uncontested layup.
Up stepped Leonard Bonucci, which would have surprised many as this was the first time ever he took on the responsibility.
That was the first penalty Leonardo Bonucci has EVER taken in regular time. No pressure. LIVEBLOG https://t.co/svN0rFRnlA #GERITA #EURO2016
— footballitalia (@footballitalia) July 2, 2016
But it certainly didn't look like his first time as he dispatched the penalty with aplomb.
Again, what was he thinking?
You simply cannot put your hands up like that in the area, and when you are defending a 1-0 lead? Criminal.
The photoshops and tweets were quick and ruthless.
Two points! BRAVO #GERITA pic.twitter.com/WPfdCEDDEx
— ⚽Adelisa⚽ (@Frau_Boateng) July 2, 2016
Familien Boateng til jul. #emdk pic.twitter.com/IjnDRyLMAP
— Jes Mortensen (@JesMortensen) July 2, 2016
Boateng pic.twitter.com/AnSBiW8lPw
— Football Trolls (@Footballltrolls) July 2, 2016
Boateng best middle blocker pic.twitter.com/nQ5IPgSYf4
— Rossella (@rox_pl) July 2, 2016
Boateng chose a bad time to impersonate Billy Elliott pic.twitter.com/r6wwunT0Lo
— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarretTimes) July 2, 2016
It finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, a very costly mistake for Boateng and Germany.
